Dealing with a delayed flight is one of the most frustrating dilemmas that travelers have to go through every once in a while. You can prepare for a trip months in advance and as diligently as possible, but unfortunately, late take-offs are always beyond a passenger’s control. Having the misfortune of delayed or canceled flights is usually a huge source of inconvenience, but don’t let a late plane bog you down! Follow the 9 tips below and you’ll discover that spending a little bit of extra time at the airport doesn’t always have to be such a negative experience.

Chin up, Traveler!

Delayed Flights

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So the plane that would take you to your destination is a couple of hours late. It’s not the end of the world! Keeping a positive attitude is the absolute key to coping with delayed flights. While this unexpected tardiness is inconvenient and could potentially hurt the schedule you’ve already planned, sulking and moaning about the situation isn’t going to help anybody. No matter how difficult it becomes, always try to keep a smile on your face. Remember that there are far worse things than getting flight cancellations or delays. More importantly, remember that in the event of a delayed flight, you’re never completely helpless. Aside from keeping tabs of your flight status, there are so many other options and activities that you can explore given the extra time.

You’ve Got to Fight for Your Right

After locking in a calm and positive attitude, it’s important that you refresh your memory about passenger rights when a flight is delayed. Airlines usually make provisions for food and lodging reimbursements whenever their passengers need to suffer through long delays or flight cancellations. Make sure that you know about these options so you can claim what’s rightfully yours as a paying passenger. While getting these reimbursements won’t exactly hasten you towards your destination, you’ll save a lot of money in the process and have more to burn for when your real vacation starts. For more tips on securing your rights as a passenger, you can check out this step-by-step guide by a fellow traveler, Keith Hajovsky.

Review your travel plans

Use the Time to Review Your Plans

Whatever you do, don’t fall into the trap of boredom! Keep yourself busy by first and foremost, reviewing the plans that you’ve made for your trip. Delays will most likely affect your busy schedule, so make sure that you adapt as needed. Will you have to call your hotel to tell them that you’ll be arriving later than expected? Will you have to postpone your guided city tour for another day or time? Are there alternative hotel options that you can avail for a lower price? Remind yourself that short-term renting for foreigners often provides more value for money than traditional hotel renting does. It’s never too late to edit your plans if it means saving a penny or two. With your extra time in the airport, you can make calls and adjust your plans in advance, ensuring a worry-free trip.

Read about your destination

Preview Your Destination

Psych yourself up for your vacation by reading travel books or browsing the net for all the fun activities that your destination has in store for you. Are you on your way to Boracay for an ocean getaway? Take the extra time to research about all the latest beach activities that the island offers. Flying to Africa for an exotic safari? Research about that as well! Whether you’re looking for a list of Boracay list of island adventures, African safari schedules, or tips on conquering Mount Kilimanjaro, a little extra research is always good to start a trip. This way, you’ll know exactly what to expect, try, and splurge on once you reach your destination. It’s a good way to sustain your excitement!

take advantage of the airports free wifi

Wi-Fi is Your Friend

Remember: Wi-Fi is going to be your best, most reliable friend when it comes to killing time and keeping yourself entertained while waiting for a delayed flight. Aside from doing some research, exploring short-term renting options, watching videos, or maybe even playing a few online games, you can take advantage of your airport’s connectivity by downloading mobile apps that can improve your vacation experience. For instance, here’s a list of beach travel apps that every Boracay adventurer might need. In this digital age, there’s bound to be an app designed to help you out no matter where you’re going, so use technology to your advantage!

Read your favorite book

Catch up on Your Reading

Still bored? Why not try to give the airport bookstore a visit and catch up with your reading. Burying your nose in a book for a couple of hours at a time is one of the best, most productive ways to pass the time. If you’re feeling creative, you can even jump start your dream vacation by picking a novel that matches the mood of your destination. Beach-bound? Choose books with seafaring stories or stories set in the beach. Going to Paris? Indulge in an old-fashioned romantic plot. With the right book, your adventure can start before you even board the plane!

Explore the Airport

Go on Airport Adventures

Speaking of adventures: airports are always interesting venues for exploration as well. Poke around a little bit and enjoy the tax-free retail! There are so many shops to browse, services to try, and people to meet at any given airport. Don’t be afraid to leave the waiting area for a while to stretch your legs and take the sights in. You never know what you’ll see or who you’ll meet.

find your comfort food

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!

Take measures to enjoy yourself with food and drink! Who says the party can only start once you land on your destination? Get started on all the fun while you’re stuck in the airport by feasting on the multicultural cuisines that most international airports have. There’s nothing worse than being grumpier than you have to be because of an empty stomach. You’ll have to stay fed anyway, so why not do it in style?

Have a Good Mantra in Mind

Above anything else, and regardless the length of your flight delay, make sure that you keep a good, positive mantra in mind. Keep reminding yourself that you’ll arrive at that dream destination eventually and that in the greater scheme of things, this is just a tiny bump in the road to what might be your best trip yet. Take control where you can! While the delay may be out of your hands, you can always choose to be more excited and more optimistic. Don’t worry! You’ll board that flight eventually, and with these 9 tips, you’ll conquer every delay with much more ease.

Jeanette Anzon is a graduate of Architecture in UP Diliman. She enjoys photography, sketching, arts, film and continuous education. Currently, she works as a broker and as a home stylist, accommodating clients mostly in North America. Her exposure to the market has initiated a deeper learning to real estate, marketing communication and home design. To get to know her more, you can follow @jeanetteanzon

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